First court appearance set for suspect in deadly boating crash

GAINESVILLE - A Cumming man charged in the boating accident on Lake Lanier that took the life of two young Buford boys will make his first court appearance Saturday morning.

Hall County Sheriff's Sgt. Stephen Wilbanks said 44-year-old Paul J. Bennett's first court appearance is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Saturday. He said bond for Bennett has not been set at this time.

According to Hall County District Attorney Lee Darragh, Bennett was indicted Thursday afternoon for eight counts of Homicide by Vessel in the First Degree (four counts for each of the two victims), two counts of Boating under the Influence, Two Counts of Reckless Operation of a Vessel, and one count of Violation of Duty to Render Assistance and Identify Vessel and Self.

Thirteen-year-old Griffin Prince and 9-year-old Jake Prince were killed when Bennett's fishing boat crashed into the pontoon boat they were in on the night of June 18.

Authorities said the body of Jake Prince was discovered shortly after the crash but Griffin's body wasn't recovered until nine days after the incident.